Midshipman Justin Lindstrom of Dallas hugs his sister Kimberlee, 7, at a U.S. Merchant Marine Academy ceremony. The academy in Kings Point welcomed 237 "plebes" for the Class of 2017 Regiment of Midshipmen during the acceptance day event. (Sept. 7, 2013)

Merchant Marine Academy acceptance day

Updated September 7, 2013 3:01 PM

Midshipman Justin Lindstrom of Dallas hugs his sister Kimberlee, 7, at a U.S. Merchant Marine Academy ceremony. The academy in Kings Point welcomed 237 "plebes" for the Class of 2017 Regiment of Midshipmen during the acceptance day event. (Sept. 7, 2013)
(Credit: Steve Pfost)

Ceremonies welcomed 237 "plebe candidates" of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Class of 2017 into the Regiment of Midshipmen during the acceptance day ceremony held on the campus in Kings Point. (Sept. 7, 2013)...

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Ceremonies welcomed 237 "plebe candidates" of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Class of 2017 into the Regiment of Midshipmen during the acceptance day ceremony held on the campus in Kings Point. (Sept. 7, 2013)

(Credit: Steve Pfost)

Michelle Daniel, of Indiana, hugs her son Hunter after the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy welcomed 237 "plebe candidates" for the Class of 2017 Regiment of Midshipmen during the acceptance day ceremony at the campus in Kings Point. (Sept. 7, 2013)

(Credit: Steve Pfost)

Families cheer and take photos of the midshipmen as the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy welcomed 237 "plebe candidates" for the Class of 2017 Regiment of Midshipmen during the acceptance day ceremony at the campus in Kings Point. (Sept. 7, 2013)

(Credit: Steve Pfost)

Midshipmen march down Brooks Stadium during the viewing parade as the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy welcomed 237 "plebe candidates" for the Class of 2017 Regiment of Midshipmen during the acceptance day ceremony at the campus in Kings Point. (Sept. 7, 2013)

Plebes stand at attention with fellow midshipmen as the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy welcomed 237 "plebe candidates" for the Class of 2017 Regiment of Midshipmen during the acceptance day ceremony at the campus in Kings Point. (Sept. 7, 2013)

(Credit: Steve Pfost)

Midshipman Justin Lindstrom of Dallas hugs his sister Kimberlee, 7, at a U.S. Merchant Marine Academy ceremony. The academy in Kings Point welcomed 237 "plebes" for the Class of 2017 Regiment of Midshipmen during the acceptance day event. (Sept. 7, 2013)

(Credit: Steve Pfost)

The regimental band plays during the viewing parade as the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy welcomed 237 "plebe candidates" for the Class of 2017 Regiment of Midshipmen during the acceptance day ceremony at the campus in Kings Point. (Sept. 7, 2013)

(Credit: Steve Pfost)

Midshipmen march down Brooks Stadium during the viewing parade as the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy welcomed 237 "plebe candidates" for the Class of 2017 Regiment of Midshipmen during the acceptance day ceremony at the campus in Kings Point. (Sept. 7, 2013)

(Credit: Steve Pfost)

Midshipmen march down Brooks Stadium during the viewing parade as the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy welcomed 237 "plebe candidates" for the Class of 2017 Regiment of Midshipmen during the acceptance day ceremony at the campus in Kings Point. (Sept. 7, 2013)

Midshipmen march down Brooks Stadium during the viewing parade as the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy welcomed 237 "plebe candidates" for the Class of 2017 Regiment of Midshipmen during the acceptance day ceremony at the campus in Kings Point. (Sept. 7, 2013)

(Credit: Steve Pfost)

A line of plebe candidates raise their right hand and take an oath as the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy welcomed 237 "plebe candidates" for the Class of 2017 Regiment of Midshipmen during the acceptance day ceremony at the campus in Kings Point. (Sept. 7, 2013)

(Credit: Steve Pfost)

Chief of Navy Reserve, Vice Admiral Robin R. Braun, shakes hands with Midshipman Bentzel after he received an award as the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy welcomed 237 "plebe candidates" for the Class of 2017 Regiment of Midshipmen during the acceptance day ceremony at the campus in Kings Point. (Sept. 7, 2013)

(Credit: Steve Pfost)

Plebe Quinn raises her right hand and takes an oath as the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy welcomed 237 "plebe candidates" for the Class of 2017 Regiment of Midshipmen during the acceptance day ceremony at the campus in Kings Point. (Sept. 7, 2013)